Day 58 & 59 - Vermont. What to say?

I've crossed into Vermont. Didn't see a state border sign but the river in the pictures is the border.

All I knew about Vermont was that Bernie Sanders is a representative here. I've often wondered if he is related to Colonel Sanders.

Hills are gentler. Forest is more and more opening up into fields, the long grass leans over onto the trail and I have to brush through it, which makes me concerned about ticks. I haven't had any yet but people say they become more common as you go south.

Was planning to stay at Happy Hill Shelter but the read the comments. Apparently there is a creepy guy in a ski mask and no gear that hangs out in the upper floor of the shelter and will ask people who just arrived for water and money. Another person said they were outside and could see him peeping out at them through the window. When one of their party used the privy he came out and asked if it was occupied, and paced back and forth until it was available, then he went inside and made moaning noises.

Wasn't keen to meet this guy, so I went off the trail and deep into the forest to set up my tent.

Hiked all day pretty uneventfully. Was planning to camp in the forest again in case creepy guys in ski masks ventured further down the trail but on impulse headed to rarely used Cloudland Shelter that was nearby. It is apparently on private land but AT hikers are seemingly allowed to make use of it. Wilson said it should be OK. Setup my gear inside and it was a good thing too because pretty soon it started to rain, and it rained all night.

Shoutout to Maple who maintains a water cache on the trail, it is very much appreciated. Also to Eeyore and Jasper, who I had a great conversation with. Oh and the collapsed tent thing I found deep in the forest, I think it was a hunters hide before being abandoned.Read more